Judge clarifies Cork Prison quarantine and court appearance issue

The practice of quarantining new prisoners at Cork Prison for 14 days was clarified today following concerns expressed by a District Judge that the protocol might be unconstitutional.j

The confusion arose at Cork Prison where prisoners being quarantined were described as being in isolation and were not being brought to the video room in the prison for their appearances at Cork District Court.

The practice of quarantining new prisoners at Cork Prison for 14 days was clarified today following concerns expressed by a District Judge that the protocol might be unconstitutional.

On Wednesday, several prisoners had been due to appear by video link at Cork District Court from Cork Prison and the judge was told that since last week new prisoners were being put in 14 days of ‘isolation’.